The 49th death anniversary of S.J.V. Chelvanayakam, widely revered as “Thanthai Selva”, was commemorated on Sunday in Jaffna, alongside a series of political awareness initiatives linked to the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the Vaddukoddai Resolution.
The main commemoration was held on 26 April at Thanthai Selva Square under the leadership of Bishop S. Jebanesan, President of the Thanthai Selva Memorial Trust. Floral tributes were laid at Chelvanayakam’s statue, followed by homage at his gravesite, where attendees gathered to honour his enduring political legacy.
Senior Tamil political figures were present, including Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) acting leader C.V.K. Sivagnanam, General Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran, and Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) leader V. Anandasangaree. They were joined by party representatives, civil society actors, and members of the public, reflecting the continued resonance of Chelvanayakam’s political vision.
A parallel memorial event in Jaffna, also organised by the Thanthai Selva Memorial Trust, featured a keynote address by former Sri Lankan minister and legal scholar G. L. Peiris on “federalism and the path of constitutional reform.” Opening with the classical Tamil line “Yaadhum Oore, Yaavarum Kelir,” Peiris invoked its universalist ethos before turning to Sri Lanka’s contemporary political challenges.
In his address, Peiris examined the historical divergence between Tamil separatist thought and the federalist approach advanced by ITAK, situating Chelvanayakam’s political philosophy within this trajectory. He reflected on how these competing frameworks have shaped Tamil political demands over time.
However, Peiris’s participation drew criticism from sections of Tamil civil society and activist circles, who pointed to his record during constitutional negotiations and peace talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), where he was associated with opposition to proposals for a federal political solution. Critics argued this stood in tension with the federalist vision central to Chelvanayakam’s political legacy.
Separately, a political awareness discussion tied to the 50th anniversary of the Vaddukoddai Resolution was held last week at the American Mission Hall in Batticaloa.
Adopted in 1976, the Vaddukoddai Resolution marked a pivotal moment in Tamil political history, formally articulating the demand for an independent Tamil state. The 50th anniversary commemoration is scheduled to take place on 30 May 2026 in Jaffna.
In the lead-up, organisers have launched district-level discussions aimed at fostering political awareness and encouraging public engagement. The Batticaloa event brought together religious leaders, Tamil political actors, civil society representatives, activists, students, and families of the disappeared.
Participants also included representatives from non-governmental organisations and members of the wider public, signalling sustained interest in revisiting the political significance of the resolution amid ongoing debates on Tamil self-determination.